NOW® and Celebrity Fitness Trainer Gunnar Peterson Debut NEW Workout Series, Pledge to Help People #LiveHealthyNOW

In celebration of the #LiveHealthyNOW campaign, NOW will donate $5,000 to Project Fit America to help support fitness programs for children across the country.

"Right about now is when most people experience what I call 'summer fitness fatigue.' They've really pushed themselves to look and feel their best for the season and now they hit a plateau during these last few weeks before summer really begins," said Gunnar, a Beverly Hills-based trainer who's responsible for many A-list and pro-athlete sculpted physiques. "It's time to re-assess the daily routine, change up the workouts, and incorporate the right foods and products, like those from NOW, to help the body work more efficiently."

To help reboot the fitness regimen, Gunnar designed a completely NEW workout series, featuring seven total-body workouts that can be modified to any fitness level and be done anywhere. "It's all about the basics. You want to keep the body responsive to new challenges, and doing things like increasing sets and repetitions, circuits, will build up your endurance and strength," added Gunnar, whose workouts are available at livehealthynowpledge.com through 2017. "But remember, to see the changes you desire, you need to make a total commitment to your health, and that means making fitness part of a clean routine overall."

According to Gunnar and Dawn, exercise, nutrition and lifestyle choices are the ultimate trifecta for a fitter and more natural routine – and NOW can help, with more than 1,400 affordable and high-quality functional foods, supplements, personal care, essential oils and sports nutrition products.

"There's no magic potion that's going to do the work for you. Shaking up your daily routine with simple and fun swaps are keys to pushing through that plateau," said Dawn, author of best-selling "The Superfood Swap" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017). "And believe me, the results will come."

Gunnar and Dawn share their top three tips for a healthy and fit routine. For more tips and daily inspiration, visit livehealthynowpledge.com.

1. Add 'dessert' to your workouts. Gunnar, who does this with clients regularly, said they "love to hate it!" After the workout is done, give that extra push like a one mile stationary bike ride or run, or a half mile ride with a one minute plank, then repeat both. And if you're feeling the burn, massage NOW® Solutions Arnica Warming Relief Massage Oil (http://bit.ly/2nMfbQY) or Joint & Muscle Cream into tired, overworked muscles.
   
   
2. Cut the C.R.A.P. (chemicals, refined flour and sugar, artificial sweeteners, colors and flavors, and preservatives) and make super swaps to fuel the body right. For example, start the day by supercharging your oatmeal by adding nuts and seeds, to increase healthy fat, protein, fiber and cinnamon for a sweet taste without sugar. For a sensational seed boost, try NOW's Organic Hemp Seed Hearts. And for snack or light lunch, pack on the plant-based protein with Q-Cups™ (http://bit.ly/2qpboe8), portable quinoa cups that are ready to eat in just five minutes. They're a great alternative to deli sandwiches or less-healthy starches, like rice. 
   
   
3. Tip 3: SLEEP! Give the body a chance to rest and reset. Getting at least eight hours of restful sleep has so many benefits, including improving performance. There are some natural ways to prep for deeper sleep, like diffusing a relaxing essential oil blend or taking a melatonin supplement or natural sleep aid (http://bit.ly/2nvNc5W).* And to help optimize recovery during sleep, take NOW® Sports ZMA (http://bit.ly/2oblOgu) 30-60 minutes before hitting the hay.*

Visit livehealthynowpledge.com to take the Pledge, workout with Gunnar, and find tips to get started today. To coordinate an interview with Gunnar and/or Dawn, email [email protected].  Follow NOW Instagram (@nowfoodsofficial), as well as Facebook (@nowfoodsofficial) and Twitter (@nowfoods).

ABOUT NOW®:
Founded by Elwood Richard in 1968 on the belief that natural is better, NOW has grown from a small family operation into one of the most highly respected manufacturers in the natural products industry. Still a family-owned company today, NOW provides customers with a comprehensive approach to wellness by offering more than 1,400 dietary supplements, functional foods, sports nutrition and health and beauty products. NOW is committed to offering safe, affordable products of the highest quality, and is a highly regarded advocate in the natural products industry. After nearly 50 years in the natural products industry, NOW remains committed to its original mission – to provide value in products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives.  

ABOUT GUNNAR PETERSON:
Gunnar Peterson (@gunnarfitness) is a Beverly Hills-based personal trainer whose clients include celebrities, professional athletes, and everyday people. With a client list as diverse as his training methods, Gunnar emphasizes strength training modalities that can be transferred from the gym to daily life, from training camp to championship game. He has worked with athletes from the NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, USTA, professional boxing (male AND female!), various NCAA sports, as well as film and television celebrities. Gunnar is an editor and writes a regular column for Men's Fitness magazine, is on the advisory board for SHAPE magazine as well. Gunnar is also regularly featured in national print, online and broadcast media, including numerous shows for E! and VH1.

ABOUT DAWN JACKSON BLATNER:
Dawn Jackson Blatner (@djblatner) is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified specialist in sports dietetics. She is the nutritionist for the World Series Champion Chicago CUBS, sits on the advisory board of SHAPE magazine, and writes an award-winning weekly blog called Nutrition WOW. She starred in (and won) the ABC reality television show, My Diet Is Better Than Yours. She is the author of The Flexitarian Diet, named one of the best plant-based diets by US News and her newest book, The Superfood Swap, helps you eat what you crave without the C.R.A.P.

Media Contact:
Alana Horinko, 630-545-9098 [email protected]

SOURCE NOW